'Project code-named Humpty': Creation, Destruction and Reconstruction. An art and archaeological science collaboration.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bradford
Department Name: Faculty of Engineering and Informatics
Abstract
'Project code-named Humpty' [P c-n H] is a narrative art process, conceived by artist Kate Johnson in response to the wider goals of the 'Fragmented Heritage' [FH] project, awarded to archaeological sciences at the University of Bradford, under the umbrella of the theme: Digital Transformations. It is a project, delivered in 'chapters' bringing artist and archaeologists into a shared creative and scientific arena.
A 10' high figurative sculpture has been created by the artist in clay. It will be cast in a uniquely developed material suitable for deliberate fragmentation over a precipice, with the purpose of yielding fragments which have not been influenced by an internal metal armature. Archaeologists will retrieve the fragments as if from an archaeological site and manually reconstruct the fragments, informed by innovative reconstruction and digital visualisation technologies they have developed on the FH project. When taken at face value, creating a monumental sculpture only to break it into pieces with the goal of putting the pieces back together again might seem a frivolous venture. Although the project involves some degree of risk, a frivolous undertaking it is not. P c-n H functions formally and conceptually and in its entirety, it is designed to allow for multiple layers of interpretation. It promotes reflection on our relationship with the objects we make, the nature of manual skill in a technological age as well as the nature of value and of beauty in relation to the art object. It concerns the paradoxes of human behaviour today and throughout the archaeological record. It will serve to strengthen the wider legacy of the Digital Transformations theme to the wider public as well as to heritage practitioners, curators, object handlers and excavators. P c-n H touches the core of the AHRC's ethos in supporting projects serving to enhance 'understanding of our times, our capacities and our inheritance'.
In collaboration with Project Partner Bradford UNESCO City of Film, short films will be made documenting the process of the piece at each stage. The making of these films will give the artist and archaeologists opportunities for collaboration outside of academia. Engagement with the wider public will occur through the screening of the films in an open city space reaching an expected footfall of a minimum of 30,000. A live fragmentation/fragment retrieval event at Swinden Quarry accommodating a crowd of between 500 and 2000 people will incorporate crowd participation through music and the event will be filmed.
P c-n H extends themes in contemporary art and importantly contributes to the growing genre of art and archaeology collaborative ventures whilst embracing wider interdisciplinary and non-academic communication.
A 10' high figurative sculpture has been created by the artist in clay. It will be cast in a uniquely developed material suitable for deliberate fragmentation over a precipice, with the purpose of yielding fragments which have not been influenced by an internal metal armature. Archaeologists will retrieve the fragments as if from an archaeological site and manually reconstruct the fragments, informed by innovative reconstruction and digital visualisation technologies they have developed on the FH project. When taken at face value, creating a monumental sculpture only to break it into pieces with the goal of putting the pieces back together again might seem a frivolous venture. Although the project involves some degree of risk, a frivolous undertaking it is not. P c-n H functions formally and conceptually and in its entirety, it is designed to allow for multiple layers of interpretation. It promotes reflection on our relationship with the objects we make, the nature of manual skill in a technological age as well as the nature of value and of beauty in relation to the art object. It concerns the paradoxes of human behaviour today and throughout the archaeological record. It will serve to strengthen the wider legacy of the Digital Transformations theme to the wider public as well as to heritage practitioners, curators, object handlers and excavators. P c-n H touches the core of the AHRC's ethos in supporting projects serving to enhance 'understanding of our times, our capacities and our inheritance'.
In collaboration with Project Partner Bradford UNESCO City of Film, short films will be made documenting the process of the piece at each stage. The making of these films will give the artist and archaeologists opportunities for collaboration outside of academia. Engagement with the wider public will occur through the screening of the films in an open city space reaching an expected footfall of a minimum of 30,000. A live fragmentation/fragment retrieval event at Swinden Quarry accommodating a crowd of between 500 and 2000 people will incorporate crowd participation through music and the event will be filmed.
P c-n H extends themes in contemporary art and importantly contributes to the growing genre of art and archaeology collaborative ventures whilst embracing wider interdisciplinary and non-academic communication.
Planned Impact
Society, beyond the heritage beneficiaries of the Fragmented Heritage Project outputs, will gain an understanding how archaeologists collect and organise fragments prior to reconstruction. The public will also learn how digital technologies and visualisation tools are used by archaeologists to reconstruct fragments of a monumental scale piece, with figurative complexity and how they inform manual reconstruction. Dissemination and impact will be achieved through documentary film screening, a live fragmentation/fragment retrieval event, high quality interactive website experience, outreach presentations and public display of the actual reconstructed piece with its associated story will be sought.
Research communities will benefit from the project as a process which bridges the divide between the arts, humanities and sciences. Papers will be presented during and following the project in AHRC wide theme activities organised by the Digital Transformations fellow. Other workshops are planned, for example, at the University of Durham, to discuss the dynamics of an art and archaeology collaboration from the perspective of both disciplines. Opportunities will be taken to discuss the degree to which the art piece extends the concerns explored in recent contemporary art, for example, through an invitation to speak at the Ilkley Art Festival in October 2017. Art practitioners will benefit from the visualisation potentials the project reveals.
In partnership with Bradford UNESCO City of Film, and through the UNESCO website gateway, P c-n H will contribute to the international discussion on humanitarian issues associated with Heritage preservation and reconstruction issues in a changing world. Educational packages building on documentary film footage will be disseminated to schools in the Yorkshire region serving as a tool to engage a younger audience in such issues.
P c-n H requires materials research and development in addition to the employment of manual skills to create a mould, casting material and to cast the monumental sculpture. Techniques will be shared with the public through filming of each process and through workshops. Any new materials development would serve to broaden options for the 3D practitioner.
The potential for international distribution of P c-n H has arisen from discussions with Commissioning Editor, Holly Squire, to publish four short articles over this duration of the project in the online journal The Conversation UK. This journal is a springboard for other media organisations.
P c-n H offers crowd engagement in the art process itself at the fragmentation event. Microphones attached to the audience would allow for possible psychological examination of crowd response to the event as well as feeding into a musical soundscape.
Research communities will benefit from the project as a process which bridges the divide between the arts, humanities and sciences. Papers will be presented during and following the project in AHRC wide theme activities organised by the Digital Transformations fellow. Other workshops are planned, for example, at the University of Durham, to discuss the dynamics of an art and archaeology collaboration from the perspective of both disciplines. Opportunities will be taken to discuss the degree to which the art piece extends the concerns explored in recent contemporary art, for example, through an invitation to speak at the Ilkley Art Festival in October 2017. Art practitioners will benefit from the visualisation potentials the project reveals.
In partnership with Bradford UNESCO City of Film, and through the UNESCO website gateway, P c-n H will contribute to the international discussion on humanitarian issues associated with Heritage preservation and reconstruction issues in a changing world. Educational packages building on documentary film footage will be disseminated to schools in the Yorkshire region serving as a tool to engage a younger audience in such issues.
P c-n H requires materials research and development in addition to the employment of manual skills to create a mould, casting material and to cast the monumental sculpture. Techniques will be shared with the public through filming of each process and through workshops. Any new materials development would serve to broaden options for the 3D practitioner.
The potential for international distribution of P c-n H has arisen from discussions with Commissioning Editor, Holly Squire, to publish four short articles over this duration of the project in the online journal The Conversation UK. This journal is a springboard for other media organisations.
P c-n H offers crowd engagement in the art process itself at the fragmentation event. Microphones attached to the audience would allow for possible psychological examination of crowd response to the event as well as feeding into a musical soundscape.
Publications

Global Knowledge Academics
(2020)
Proceedings GKA Visual 2020 ISBN: 978-84-15665-55-7

Global Knowledge Academics
(2020)
Videobook of GKA Visual 2020 Virtual Conference ISBN: 978-84-15665-53-3

Johnson, KM
(2022)
Manual/Digital Interactions in 'Project code-named Humpty'

Wilson, A.S.
(2022)
Visual Heritage: Digital Approaches in Heritage Science
Title | 360 capture image |
Description | DIgital 360 capture of working studio environment for 'Project code-named Humpty' |
Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Impact | Book chapter inclusion |
Title | Figure sculpture cast without internal armature 2.7 m high |
Description | Cast of a free-sculpted clay figure made as part of 'Project code-named Humpty' for deliberate destruction and subsequent digital and manual reconstruction |
Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Impact | The cast was seen and digitally recorded by a group of individuals after its reveal prior to fragmentation. It was experienced in situ in the quarry prior to fragmentation by a group of people and digitally recorded. Images captures are being shown on the project website and some are the forming the basis of filmic output Chapter Four. At this juncture recordings of the cast and its fragmentation and details of the entire project have been shared with author/academics in the fields of contemporary art, classical archaeology as well as with curators at leading UK museums (NPG, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, V & A, British Museum, Imperial War Museum and the Ashmolean Museum. The url link below has been shared with academics and businesses outside of the UK - notably Studio di ingegneria Pandolfi, Carrara Quarries, Italy and the Herbert F Johnson Museum of Art, Cornell University, US. it is too early to determine the impact but reception has been enthusiastic to date. |
URL | https://www.bradford.ac.uk/project-code-named-humpty/ |
Title | Performance within entire project performance |
Description | Theatrical fragmentation of the sculptural cast [listed previously] at Coldstones Quarry, North Yorkshire. |
Type Of Art | Performance (Music, Dance, Drama, etc) |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Impact | Fragmentation was seen by a group of people and digitally recorded. Images captures are being shown on the project website and some are the forming the basis of filmic output Chapter Four. At this juncture recordings of the cast and its fragmentation and/or details of the entire project have been shared with author/academics in the fields of contemporary art, classical archaeology as well as with curators at leading UK museums - NPG, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, V & A, British Museum, Imperial War Museum and Ashmolean Museum. The url link below has been shared with academics and businesses outside of the UK - notably Studio di ingegneria Pandolfi, Carrara Quarries, Italy and the Herbert F Johnson Museum of Art, Cornell University, US. it is too early to determine the impact but reception has been enthusiastic to date. |
URL | https://www.bradford.ac.uk/project-code-named-humpty/ |
Title | Piece mould |
Description | A 35 part piece mould using a combination of jesmonite, urethane and silicone. |
Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Impact | Mould making processes formed part of 'Project code-named Humpty' Chapter 3 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xl1hot-zBVU |
Title | Proect code-named Humpty Chapter Three |
Description | A brief film documenting key stages of the project [performance] for which an original music score was commissioned |
Type Of Art | Performance (Music, Dance, Drama, etc) |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Impact | Public broadcast Inclusion in website |
URL | https://www.bradford.ac.uk/project-code-named-humpty/ |
Title | Project code-named Humpty - Chapter Five |
Description | Brief film chapter of project [performance] for which an original music score was commissioned |
Type Of Art | Performance (Music, Dance, Drama, etc) |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Impact | Not yet |
URL | https://www.bradford.ac.uk/project-code-named-humpty/ |
Title | Project code-named Humpty - Chapter Four |
Description | Brief film chapter capturing project [performance] fragmentation of the statue. Original music score was commsiioned. |
Type Of Art | Performance (Music, Dance, Drama, etc) |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Impact | Reached general public by screening in a public place: Bradford (April 2020) and Leeds (May/June 2020) Website inclusion. Focus of a conference video published online |
URL | https://www.bradford.ac.uk/project-code-named-humpty/ |
Title | Project code-named Humpty - Chapter Six |
Description | Brief film chapter of project [performance] for which an original music score was commissioned |
Type Of Art | Performance (Music, Dance, Drama, etc) |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Impact | Website inclusion |
URL | https://www.bradford.ac.uk/project-code-named-humpty/ |
Title | Project code-named Humpty Chapter One |
Description | A brief film chapter documenting key stages of the project [performance] for which an original music score was commissioned |
Type Of Art | Performance (Music, Dance, Drama, etc) |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Impact | Public broadcast. Website inclusion |
URL | https://www.bradford.ac.uk/project-code-named-humpty/ |
Title | Project code-named Humpty Chapter Two |
Description | A brief filmic chapter documenting key stages of the project [performance] for which an original music score was commissioned |
Type Of Art | Performance (Music, Dance, Drama, etc) |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Impact | Public broadcast Website inclusion |
URL | https://www.bradford.ac.uk/project-code-named-humpty/ |
Title | Reality capture images |
Description | Digital scans of statue fragments |
Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Impact | None yet |
Title | Reality capture images |
Description | Digital scans of the cast statue |
Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Impact | book chpater inclusion |
Title | Reality capture images |
Description | Digital scans of the mould and clay statue for 'Project code-named Humpty' |
Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Impact | website inclusion book chapter inclusion |
URL | https://www.bradford.ac.uk/project-code-named-humpty/chapter-one/ |
Description | A 2.8 metre high classically inspired sculpture was free-sculpted and cast for the purposes of deliberate fragmentation [at a quarry cliff site] and subsequent reconstruction by archaeologists using the latest digital refitting tools. In order to yield fragments which could test semi automated digital refitting systems, a cast was required which contained no inner supporting armature. Any inner armature would hold the cast together on impact and prevent successful fragmentation. For aesthetic reasons, no external support, like a tree trunk element, was to be used in the sculptural design to support the slim ankles of the statue. Making a cast without an inner structure or outer support structure therefore required the development of a material mix which would be strong enough in compression for the slim ankles to take the weight of the rest of the statue. 60 plus test bricks were made and tested until a mix using a high proportion of waste marble dust tested as promisingly strong enough in cuboid brick castings. There was a high degree of risk using a marble based material with unknown behaviour in casting the specific form and scale of the statue. The first attempt at casting failed and lengthy preparations were required to restore the damaged mould for a second attempt at casting. Lessons were learnt from the first casting experience which informed the second casting. Careful preparations were made and the second casting took place over two weeks and was successful. Extensive finishing of the cast demonstrated the material's capacity to mimic carved marble. Substantial logistical problems were needed to be overcome to transport the cast to the quarry site. Fragmentation took place in September 2019. Fragments are currently being scanned and ditial reconstructions which are currently underway will inform a manual reconstruction. Key stages of the 'Project code-named Humpty' performance story were captured in film. To date six short filmic chapters have been made which can be seen on the project website https://www.bradford.ac.uk/project-code-named-humpty/. The first four film chapters screened publically prior to ceasing in May 2020 due to lockdown screening regulations. |
Exploitation Route | Next steps will be to 1) to explore the potential of the casting material as a replication/conservation/carving material in a museum context and as an architectural material in a wider construction context 2) to explore how the multi-modal elements of 'Project code-named Humpty' can be exhibited and its performance story retold and disseminated. March 22 - activity is ongoing here with some exciting possibilities emerging for project exhibition and broadcast which, if successful, will enable the project objectives to be fully met. |
Sectors | Construction Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Culture Heritage Museums and Collections Other |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu6aNLq9Y8g |
Description | COVID 19 Grant Extension Allocation University of Bradford |
Amount | £176,557 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/V52122X/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2020 |
End | 09/2021 |
Description | Recording and screening research |
Organisation | Bradford City of Film Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Six short film chapters have been made which record research development |
Collaborator Contribution | Bradford UNESCO City of Film organised screening of the films. These went out on 'big screens' before lockdown 2020 in Leeds, Millenium Square and Bradford, Centenary Square. |
Impact | Project code-named Humpty Chapter One Project code-named Humpty Chapter Two Project code-named Humpty Chapter Three Project code-named Humpty Chapter Four Project code-named Humpty Chapter Five Project code-named Humpty Chapter Six Multidisciplinary: art, music, film-making |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Recycling Resplendence |
Organisation | BuroHappold Engineering |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | I have recently secured partnership from Buro Happold, Leeds to assess the feasibility of the statue casting material mix developed as part of 'Project code-named Humpty' for wider use in the heritage and built environment sector. |
Collaborator Contribution | Pending as partnership has only just begun on this project |
Impact | The collaboration is multi-disciplinary. I am an artist working with structural engineers and a materials scientist. |
Start Year | 2023 |
Description | A conference presentation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | A pre-recorded presentation was submitted to the GKA 6th International Conference on Visual Culture Paris entitled 'Project code-named Humpty' : Gesture and the Performative Body'. It explored the relationship between gesture and process in making the statue for 'Project code-named Humpty'. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu6aNLq9Y8g |
Description | Open workshop during mould assembly |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | Co Investigator described the project to 25 prospective undergraduate students attending an Open Day at the University of Leeds and also to several visiting academics from East Asia. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Presentation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Presentation contribution to a group of artists/policy makers at Furtherfield Commons, Finsbury Park in an event untitled 'Reconnecting Artistic Practice and Humanities Research'. The presentation sparked questions and discussion but at this juncture any outcomes or impacts are not known. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Public screenings of research activity |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Three short films which document the research progress screened at random times in Bradford Centenary Square as the project developed. Screening has currently ceased due to Covid-related screening regulations. Chapters 1,2 and 3 screened daily in Bradford between March 2018- Jan 2020 reaching an estimated 'footfall' of 50,000 + people. Chapter One screened for approx 94 hours in total; Chapter Two approx 80 hours in total; Chapter Three 67 hours in total. From February 26th 2020 Chapters 1,2 and 3 played on the big screen, Leeds, Millennium Square, daily. From May 14th 2020 Chapter 4 screened in Leeds [in addition to Chapters 1,2 and 3] over a period of a month. It is anticipated that Chapters 1-6 will screen as soon as Covid-related screening regulations return to normal. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019,2020 |
URL | http://www.bradford-city-of-film.com/big-screen/ |
Description | Research Presentation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | Study Day entitled 'Lasting Impressions' 2019 'Making and Re-Making the Replica' Friday 28th June 2019 9.30 am - 5 pm. Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford. UK for which I delivered a visual rich presentation entitled 'Mould making, materials and casting in 'Project code-named Humpty' A contemporary art and archaeological science collaboration'. The intended purpose was to reveal the unorthodox mould making and casting procedures in 'Project code-named Humpty' and to raise questions such as can the terms 'original' and 'replication' be used if an artwork is the very history of a form. The presentation sparked questions on the processes and materials and the organisers reported interest in the contribution. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | http://lastingimpressions.mystrikingly.com/blog/lasting-impressions-2019-study-day-guide |